Newsletter 12th August 2022

Dear friends

I am pleased to say that Rea Valley Foodbank is now incorporated as a limited company. I am pleased because this means that its directors/trustees have legal and financial protection should anything unforeseen go wrong. But I am also pleased because, it marks the end of a tortuous journey that says much about how bureaucratically difficult the world has become. Do you remember the days when all you needed to pay in a car park was coins? Now, assuming the machine isn’t out of order, you need a debit card or one of half a dozen different apps. In the same way, in registering the foodbank, we have had to deal with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) who I have had to persuade that the inclusion of the word “bank” in our company name won’t confuse people into thinking we were involved in more traditional banking activities. It took many weeks for them to agree to this only for them to say that we still needed approval from the Secretary of State! All bureaucracy has a purpose, but often its demands are a barrier to achieving their own purpose. In running the foodbank, we must never lose sight of its God-given purpose: to fulfil the challenge laid down by Matthew 25 – “inasmuch as you did it for the least of these, you did it for me”.

Treasurer for Minsterley

We continue to look for a new treasurer for Minsterley. If you know of anyone, please let Greg know. A draft job description is now available.

Webmaster for Pontesbury

We are looking for a webmaster to take on the responsibility from Richard Elliot. A draft job description has been produced. Please speak to Greg or directly to Richard if you would like to know more.

Richard and Claire

Richard and Claire are on holiday until 15th August. You may still see them around, but please respect their time off.

Hope/Shelve

The proposed merger of Hope and Shelve parishes has now entered its final stage of consultation. If you wish to raise any objections to this plan, there is a notice by the front door of each church detailing how to do this.

Confirmation

St George’s is hosting a confirmation service on Sunday October 16th at 3 p.m. We have three candidates already wanting to be confirmed. Greg would be very pleased to hear from anyone else who would like to pursue this.

Sponsored Walk

A sponsored walk along the Shropshire Way from Church Stretton to Stokesay (approximately 15 miles) is planned for Saturday Sept 24th. As last year, half the monies will go to the Shropshire Historic Churches Trust and half to our own churches. Let Greg know if you are interested in walking that day, even if it is only a short section of the route; and it would be good to have a couple of drivers to staff a support crew.

Ecumenical Service

There will be a joint service with our Congregationalist and Methodist brothers and sisters on Sunday September 11th at 6.30 p.m. at Pontesbury Congregationalist Church. The service will offer the opportunity for thanksgiving and lament following the Covid years. The Anglican churches are going to perform a dramatized gospel reading. Greg would be pleased to hear from anyone who wants to take part in this. Meanwhile, we would like a representative of Holy Trinity to join the planning team. There is likely to be only one more meeting on Monday 15th August at 7.30 p.m. Please let Greg or Sadie know if you are willing to join us.

Foodbank

The Rea Valley Foodbank will officially launch on Sept 27th at Holy Trinity Ministerley, with a second session on Sept 29th at St George’s. Food can be donated at Holy Trinity, St George’s and Hope Church, as well as in Pontesbury Coop. We are also looking for financial supporters, those able to make a monthly standing order payment. Details of this can be obtained from Jonathan Brown at Jonathan.starfish@hotmail.com

Calendar for the Week

Fri 12th

Prayer at HTM 9-10 a.m.

Choir Practice at HTM

Sun 14th

Holy Communion at Hope at 9 a.m.

Holy Communion at Pontesbury & Minsterley at 10.30 a.m.

Evensong at Habberley at 5 p.m.

Mon 15th

Foodbank training at St George’s at 1.30

Joint service planning meeting at Pontesbury Cong Church at 7.30

Tues 16th

Wendy Beesley’s funeral at St George’s at 2 p.m.

Weds 17th

Café at HTM 10-12

Stan Webster’s funeral at Holy Trinity Hope at 12 noon

Sat 20th

Minsterley Show

Sun 21st

Morning Prayer at Shelve at 9 a.m.

Holy Communion at Pontesbury at 10.30 a.m.

Family Worship at Minsterley at 10.30 a.m.


Photo by Braeson Holland: https://www.pexels.com/




Safeguarding

The Parish Safeguarding Officer is June Cribb 07947 482066. The Diocesan Officer is Carl Steventon 07598817717

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About St George's

St George’s Pontesbury, is a Christian Community providing a loving and spiritual environment in which to embrace, explore and experience faith in order to serve our community. We hope you find what you are looking for. Please do contact us for further help, advice or information.

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